Sesame Koulourakia (Biscuits) |
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Prep Time: 60 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes |
Ready In: 80 Minutes Servings: 6 |
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This is a kind of biscuit made in Greece with baking ammonia - I believe you can find this in drugstores in North America. Light and high-rising, not too sweet. A rather 'plain' kind of biscuit that is well-suited for dunking in coffee or tea. The number of biscuits I mention is arbitrary. It really depends on the shapes you're making and how large or small you make them. Ingredients:
12 ounces butter, softened |
1 1/4 cups sugar |
4 eggs |
1 cup milk, lukewarm (8 oz) |
2 teaspoons baking ammonia |
2 lbs flour, sifted, and a bit extra |
2 teaspoons baking powder |
1 tablespoon vanilla extract |
2 1/4 cups sesame seeds (315 gr = 12 oz) |
Directions:
1. Cream butter with sugar until fluffy and quite pale-coloured (about 5-6 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time. Dissolve baking ammonia in the milk and add milk to the butter/egg mixture.
2. Add the flour, baking powder and vanilla and mix until you have a pliable dough that doesn't stick to the sides of the mixing bowl (you may need to add a bit more flour as this recipe is from metric and actually calls for a kilo of flour which equals 2.2 lbs).
3. Shape the dough into whatever shapes you desire. In Greece, we shape it into rings, snails, Ss, braids - you are only limited by your imagination. Do try to keep the shape down to a size that will comfortably fit into your coffee cup for dunking though - and remember - they'll puff up in baking. Brush shapes with water and sprinkle generously with sesame seeds. Place on greased cookie sheets, or parchment-lined cookie sheets, or silpat.
4. Bake in a preheated 375F (180C) oven for 15-20 moinutes, or until golden-brown.
5. Store in an airtight container.
6. Note: If you can find a 'soft' flour, suited for pastry-making, you'll have a more authentic koulouraki.
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